As New Hampshire marked the fourth anniversary of legalizing same-sex marriage today, Former Republican Congressman Charlie Bass joined a group calling for national marriage equality.
As a congressman in 1996, Charlie Bass voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples.
But in late 2012, just before leaving office after losing his bid for re-election, he changed his position, supporting a bill to repeal the law.
And now, as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs the constitutionality of DOMA, Bass says his party must work toward greater acceptance of same-sex marriage.
“I urge all Republicans not to be caught on the wrong side of history. I think Americans across party lines, across gender lines, across philosophical lines are realizing that it’s wrong to be against allowing a loving couple to be joined together for life.”
Bass took part in a conference call Monday with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who also supports national marriage equality.
The Supreme Court is also weighing the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a voter-passed referendum in California banning same-sex marriage.
